An area businessman is looking to open a Johnny’s Pizza on Hooper Road near the Baton Rouge Metro Airport because he believes the north Baton Rouge area is “up and coming” and has limited competition. “I think north Baton Rouge is the best economical place in the whole parish because it doesn’t have much,” says Danny Harper, a local State Farm insurance agent and former Subway owner who’s also a board member for the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District. The restaurant, which will be located near the intersection of Hooper and Plank roads, will be 4,200 square feet, employ 20 to 25 people and will contribute about $120,000 in sales tax back into the local economy, Harper estimates. The pizzeria will have a buffet and will also stay open relatively late at night, a feature Harper says is currently missing from restaurants in the area. Harper is asking the Planning and Zoning Commission to rezone a lot at 4760 Hooper Road from heavy commercial for the restaurant. The commission is set to take up his application on Monday. Harper says he’ll begin construction as soon as he gets the OK from the city-parish, and estimates it will be open about six months after. “I’m committed to trying to build in the area,” Harper says. “It’s a great place to invest.” The new pizzeria comes as Southern Grind Cofé sets up shop on Swan and Scotland avenues, right off Scenic Highway. Owner Horatio Isadore says he, too, was drawn to… [Read full story]